Wednesday, February 11, Corvallis, Ore. – Baseball is in the air! The NCAA baseball season kicks off this Friday, and in Major League Baseball pitchers and catchers begin reporting this week, featuring many former Corvallis Knights.
LHP Tyler Anderson, who suited up for the Knights during the summer of 2009, is back for his 11th season in the Bigs and 4th as an Angel. After being named an AL All-Star during the 2024 season, the former Oregon Duck threw 136.1 innings last season, and figures to be a major part of Los Angeles’ rotation again this summer.
LHP Matthew Boyd (pictured, left) was named an NL All-Star last season for Chicago, going 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA for the playoff-bound Cubs. Boyd, one of the greatest pitchers in Oregon State history, was chosen to represent Team USA at the World Baseball Classic, which kicks off March 4. Matthew was a two-way stud for the Knights in 2010. That squad, arguably the most talented roster in Knights history, produced three Big Leaguers (Matt Duffy, Mitch Haniger) and an NFL safety (Jordan Poyer). The 35 year-old Boyd will be competing to be the Cubs’ opening day starter.
RHP Ryan Walker (pictured, middle) returns to the San Francisco Giants, projecting once again as the club’s closer. After being primarily the team’s top set-up reliever in 2024, Walker became the Giants’ closer last season, registering a team-high 17 saves in 24 opportunities. The former Washington State Cougar pitched for the Knights during the 2015 summer and begins his 4th season in the Bigs.
Former #1 overall draft pick Adley Rutschman is back for his 5th season with the Orioles. After an injury-riddled 2025, Adley will look to return to his All-Star form from the 2024 season. A legendary Beaver and the 2019 Golden Spikes award winner, Adley caught for the Knights during the 2016 season. His father, Randy, was the Knights first-ever field manager in 1999 and was an assistant from 2000-2004.
RHP William Kempner will be reporting for spring training after spending last season with the Marlins’ double- and triple-A affiliates. Kempner was assigned to Miami’s 40-man roster this offseason, with hopes to make the club’s 25-man Opening Day roster. William is a 2019 alum of the Knights, and played his college ball at Gonzaga.
RHP Brendan Beck (pictured, right) has also been invited to spring training, his first. The 2018 Knights alum is a member of the Yankees organization, and spent last season in double- and triple-A. Beck, a Stanford alum, will also be making his international debut with Great Britain at the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
LHP Andrew Walling will also be making his spring training debut. The former Oregon State Beaver and Mississippi State Bulldog spent most of the 2025 season with the Phillies’ double-A affiliate before a last-season call-up to triple-A. Walling pitched alongside Kempner on the Knights 2019 West Coast League championship team.
In other alumni news, 2021 alum Travis Bazzana (2B, Oregon State) and 2017-18 alum Chad Stevens (SS, Portland) have both been invited to spring training. Bazzana, the #1 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, spent the 2025 season with the Guardians’ double- and triple-A teams, and will be representing Team Australia during the World Baseball Classic. Stevens, who made his MLB debut last season with the Angels, was traded to Colorado in the offseason and will compete for a spot on the Rockies’ opening day roster.
To check out all current Knights playing in professional baseball, click here. To see all the Knights who have made it to The Show, click here.